BerlinForum:25yearsofCivicEducation

Berlin, 22-23 November 2017

"In search of lost universalism" is a major civic Forum which starts from the presumption that there are many cultures – but one civilisation based on human rights, freedom, the rule of law and democracy. That civilisation needs to be constantly refreshed by conscious action and projects.

After the devastation caused by the Second World War, important new international organisations were founded, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the World Council of Churches, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, etc. A universal perception of justice emerged, reflected in key international documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Social Charter, and the European Convention on Human Rights.

The same spirit is behind the civic Forum In search of lost universalism. Organised by the Association of the Schools of Political Studies of the Council of Europe at the initiative of the founders of the Moscow School of Political Studies, Lena Nemirovskaya and Yury Senokossov, the Forum is supported by important European institutions and think tanks.

The Forum brings together leading cultural figures, experts, representatives of European think tanks, international journalists and alumni of the Schools, from more than 30 countries, to address key democratic challenges facing Europe today and suggest ways to promote solidarity among young people to combat the current crisis. It is designed to rejuvenate the spirit of global civics and to support global civic education.

At the same time, the Forum will be a chance to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Schools of Political Studies with the creation of the first School in Moscow in 1992.